#1- The Baby Carrier
He usually won't fall asleep until I'm in a full sweat from all the bouncing and jumping around I have to do. When he's being particularly stubborn I can usually get him to sleep by doing squats while I do the dishes (he loves the sound of running water). Needless to say, I look like quite the mad woman! And nowdays I don't even think about trying to lie him down once he falls asleep, the second his body hits the still surface he's wide awake!#2- The Car Seat
I guess I should be grateful this kid loves his car seat so much, it lets me get out and do things while he naps but sometimes I wish he would just nap at home so I could get some rest too. The amazing thing is he will be screaming bloody murder and then the second I back out the driveway he's out cold. But I'm learning to be an expert at avoiding red lights because the second the car stops, the wailing starts up again! I'm surprised I haven't gotten pulled over for drunk driving yet because when I do hit a stop light I do all kinds of stop/go jerks with the car to try to keep the little man asleep.#3- The Jumperoo
I know, what kind of parent lets their kid sleep in a jumperoo? And I'm even more embarrassed to admit that he's been using this "older" baby toy right from the start (we'd put blankets on the sides of his head to keep him upright!). But he loves it and I can bounce him with my foot while typing on the computer or playing the piano. Hurray for jumperoos!And last but not least...
#4- The Swing
If you're not yet convinced that we're ruining our kids future sleep habits, let this seal the deal. This is where he sleeps at night. We haven't set up our crib yet (since half our house is still under construction and the nursery isn't ready yet) but we've tried to get him to sleep in his playpen. Some nights when he's really exhausted he'll sleep there for a couple hours, but most nights he'll wake up after just a few minutes of us putting him down there. So we succumb to the swing. As if the back and forth motion isn't enough, big John attached a vibrating mechanism that came with the play pen (see that big white thing right over little J's head?). We're trying to only use the double whammy of swinging AND vibrating when it's 4 am and the kid has been up for 2 hrs and still won't sleep. And I'm also trying to keep the swinging on the lowest setting, maybe in a couple weeks I'll try turning it off halfway through the night!
I'm really hoping that this is just a stage--I bet pretty soon he'll ONLY sleep when it's completely quiet and still and then I'll long for the days that I could haul the kid around with me 24/7. But if he doesn't grow out of it, we better start looking now for a girl that won't mind going on nightly drives and coming home to a jumbo, adult-sized jumperoo in their bedroom (or maybe a giant swing-bed?)
10 comments:
Too funny! I was laughing right out loud! Now who is in charge of this house?????????????????????
It's funny how much kids love motion. Emma was in her swing until she outgrew it... it was great! And now she's a great sleeper in her crib, so there is always hope!
Ooo, that is hard. I'm trying to remember what we did at this stage and I'm drawing a complete blank. Now Grace has to have it totally quiet to sleep! Hopefully he'll get over it soon. I'll let you know if something comes to me. Do you put him in a swaddle blanket to sleep? That helped Grace a lot.
First off, I added your blog to my blog list. I know it's private but I still wanted to make sure it is okay.
Second, I know exactly what you are going through! I say that as long as you are getting your sleep do whatever you need to! Daxton just turned six months and is finally sleeping 10 hrs in his crib at night. Naps are still a challenge since he'd rather be anywhere but his crib.
It does get better. It just seems like it will never end while you are going through it!
Good luck!
Tucker fights sleep too..! And the red lights are totally my worst nightmare! He starts crying every time the car stops!! I wish I had advice for you but I just have the same problem. Sorry sister :(
Court, this cracks me up! I love that he sleeps in his jumperoo. That's hilarious!
I, too, can totally relate! I finally bought a "miracle blanket" because it was recommended by a friend - http://www.miracleblanket.com/index.htm and it totally is just that! A miracle. Lois started sleeping in longer stretches as soon as we got this thing. Maybe you should try it? Lois hated it at first, but loved it once she realized how calm it made her.
I know plenty of moms that let their baby sleep in the swing. I know all the books say that you shouldn't get them dependent on swinging, swaddling or anything like that, but seriously? Mom and dad have to sleep. Lois eventually grew out of this phase at around four months...and once you get to about six months and it's still an issue...that's when I think it's okay to start laying down the law and making them cry it out.
What a stinkin' cutie, though! How can you resist those chubby cheeks???
Good luck. It does get better, I promise.
You're so funny. Here's what I'm learning:
EVERY BABY, EVERY MOM are so different, each has different needs... don't be embarrassed about letting him sleep in the bouncer thingy! Heck. I say, let them sleep where they're happy.
That being said, we started doing the crib around 3 months (in SLC), and because of our crazy schedule, it was kind of vain and he slept horribly the last few weeks of our trip.
Once we got home to Philly, we immediately started him on a VERY consistent bedtime routine (same time each night, same routine, same nursing spot, etc), and it's worked wonders. He sleeps like a charm in the crib and we've had lots of 9 hour stretches without waking. I've also been reading and talking with some friends that it's really important to feed them at the same time each morning because that sets the rest of the day.. and then for nap time, let them stay up for no longer than like, and hour and 45 mintues.. Make sense?? If I follow these things well, Henry does wonders at night. But like I say, each baby responds differently, and you just have to do what works for little john! You're a wonderful mommy and the most important thing is that he gets food and love!! .. which you provide both in abundance! You're doing a great job.
i love the pictures ps! He's such a cute little bug. So handsome! He reminds me a bit of Henry in the carseat picture, yes??
xoxo
katie
You're so funny. Here's what I'm learning:
EVERY BABY, EVERY MOM are so different, each has different needs... don't be embarrassed about letting him sleep in the bouncer thingy! Heck. I say, let them sleep where they're happy.
That being said, we started doing the crib around 3 months (in SLC), and because of our crazy schedule, it was kind of vain and he slept horribly the last few weeks of our trip.
Once we got home to Philly, we immediately started him on a VERY consistent bedtime routine (same time each night, same routine, same nursing spot, etc), and it's worked wonders. He sleeps like a charm in the crib and we've had lots of 9 hour stretches without waking. I've also been reading and talking with some friends that it's really important to feed them at the same time each morning because that sets the rest of the day.. and then for nap time, let them stay up for no longer than like, and hour and 45 mintues.. Make sense?? If I follow these things well, Henry does wonders at night. But like I say, each baby responds differently, and you just have to do what works for little john! You're a wonderful mommy and the most important thing is that he gets food and love!! .. which you provide both in abundance! You're doing a great job.
i love the pictures ps! He's such a cute little bug. So handsome! He reminds me a bit of Henry in the carseat picture, yes??
xoxo
katie
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Sorry COURT!!! I took up three comments! My stupie computer isn't working properly (or maybe it's my lack of patience with clicking the mouse... in any event, sorry)
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